Finding the colors...

Finding the colors...

everyday.

Distance...

Close enough to feel the warmth...

Far enough to not get burned.

The face of a friend...

I saw God today in the face of a friend
with the strength of a lion and the gentleness of a lamb.
It's funny how most days we all look like nothing we feel,
and our words somehow cover those feelings we try not to reveal...
but I saw him today
His smile shone on her face
and although she was hurting I felt the presence of His grace.
The sound of HIS voice reached my ears as she spoke
and her confessions of fear were surrounded by hope.
Yes... I saw Him today in the face of a friend
and suddenly I realized all of the times that I've missed him.
We worry so much about all of the things that will pass.
When often times we are standing right in front of His love and a truth that will last.
Idle worry and senseless chatter
it only carries us further from those things that really do matter...
but today in simple heartfelt conversation between friends
I was blessed to see God's presense in the face of a friend.

To my friend Linda

who is both and inspiration

and a testament to the grace

and strength that lies within us all.

Into the light...

Isaiah 42

16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them

and make the rough places smooth.

These are the things I will do;

I will not forsake them.

A subtle submersion...

Floating above

On a sea of monotonous nothingness

I long to feel the waters of my spirit wash over me

Subtley submersed
I am covered
If only for a moment
To feel the waters of myself again...

Poured out like water...

When I open myself I am free.
Fully alive and living...
Expression, love, laughter.
When I am poured out like water.
This... is the best of me.

Fade away...

i watched you fade away
not how you think but in a different way
something so hard to reach
you stole the very breath of me
don't you know
there is a love that will not fail you
your eyes dimming with each passing day
everything you wanted right in front of you
words leaving
mind day dreaming
i watched you fade
if you believe that you're all you need
then you're standing on sinking sand
turn to me and take my hand
i was reaching for you
not just what you could see
but every part of me
i watched you fade away
the sound of your voice so faint
where did the laughter go
reserved for those who'll never know
your heart so torn and broken
a token of a fleeting moment
you let it fade
can't you feel the love that surrounds you
does it mean anything to you
fading
your eyes once brown now blue
happiness doesn't have to be so hard
too much work
too little time
with so much effort
what did you find
did it fill you
give you peace
are you happier hidden beneath
the put on smile
of the i'm okay
i'm fine
talk to you some other time
i may never see the world through your eyes
and i may never know the truth inside
all i know is i watched you fade
and through my eyes
there is no replacement
for the loss of what i believed in
will you ever try to see
through my eyes
and please believe me when i say
the hardest part of all
was to watch you
watch it all just fade
in my dreams i hear your laughter
then i awaken to the silence
touch my heart and you will find you there
open me and you will see
all that you need to
there are some things that just fit
a puzzle piece
like you and me
laughter
tears
sunsets
hopes
and fears
i watched it all just fade away
the colors ran the sky turned gray
like a lunchbox full of memories
some things we pack away
if i could say something
it would be to say nothing at all
then maybe you would hear me
look into my eyes
see not me but your own reflection
and watch it fade
then tell me how it feels to you

Outside your door...

I stood outside your doorway
Anticipation in my heart
You were on the other side
It seemed two worlds apart
Your head upon the door frame
The door knob in your hand
You longed so much to let me in
But thought I didn't understand
I stood outside your doorway
Wondering if I should just go
I thought of all the days gone by
And all I wanted you to know
There hadn't been a moment
That you'd been off my mind
And all the happy memories
That seemed forever lost in time
I stood outside your doorway
And softly called your name
Wondering if you'd even hear me
Or if my voice would sound the same
Inside you stood in silence
A tear fell from your eye
And quickly then you caught your breath
You felt you should not cry
I stood outside your doorway
With my hand upon your door
Then pulled out what I had brought for you
And placed it on the floor
With that I turned and gathered
All my thoughts held deep within
I knew it wouldn't be this time
That you would let me in
You stood behind your doorway
Hidden safe within your pride
You didn't want me to see in you
The pain held in your eyes
I whispered I was leaving
And slowly walked away
Carried with me words unspoken
There's some things you just can't say
You waited several moments
As I disappeared into the dark
Then slowly opened up the door
And saw I had left my heart
I wanted you to have it
You need it more than me
And after all it had been filled inside
With all the love you'd given me

Between dusk and dawn...

In the midst of darkness and light the truth of sight remains an enigma.

Caught up in it...

I took this picture at the Mission San Juan Capistrano and I think it speaks for itself. To me, this picture represents an expression of hope. A rugged wooden cross, bearing the scars of it's past, stands surrounded by a thicket of cactus. Yet, tall and strong it stands, and empty... A reminder that even when we are caught up in it, in the midst of our problems, our worries, our pain, and our struggles... there in the thicket of those things that pierce us, lies hope and way...
And if we only have faith and believe those things that surround us can never hold us.

Silence...

There is no greater silence than to lose the voice of a true friend.